TSN attracts big audience for Defoe's debut with Toronto FC

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TSN.ca Staff3/17/2014 4:44:33 PM

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Overnight data from BBM Canada confirms that Jermain Defoe and a reinvigorated Toronto FC are a bloody big deal. TSN attracted an average audience of nearly 300,000 viewers on Saturday, as Defoe scored two goals to lead TFC's 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders FC during the team's season opener – marking a 15 per cent increase compared to the team's season opener last year.

Saturday's game ranks as TSN's third most-watched MLS game ever and the team's most-watched game since 2011.

Overall, more than 1.5 million unique viewers tuned in to MLS ON TSN to watch some or all of the network's exclusive coverage of TFC's season opener, which also featured the debut of American international Michael Bradley, Brazilian Júlio César, and returning hometown star Dwayne De Rosario.

Live MLS coverage continues this weekend, with games featuring TFC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Vancouver Whitecaps FC takes on New England on Saturday at 2pm et/11am pt on CTV BC, while TFC heads to BMO Field in Toronto for its home opener vs. D.C. United at 4pm et/1pm pt on TSN.

Fans can also watch the game on the newly launched TSN GO (currently available to Bell TV and Rogers customers), which gives TSN subscribers the freedom to live stream the network's programming from their smartphones, tablets, and computers at no additional charge.